¹⁷ “Friends,^[a] I realize that what you and your leaders did to Jesus was done in ignorance.

²⁷ The people in Jerusalem and their leaders did not recognize Jesus as the one the prophets had spoken about. Instead, they condemned him, and in doing this they fulfilled the prophets’ words that are read every Sabbath.

³⁴ Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”^[a] And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.^[b]

¹³ even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief.

⁸ But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord.

³ This is because they have never known the Father or me.

²² But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better.

¹⁴ But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ.

² No, God has not rejected his own people, whom he chose from the very beginning. Do you realize what the Scriptures say about this? Elijah the prophet complained to God about the people of Israel and said,

⁹ “I used to believe that I ought to do everything I could to oppose the very name of Jesus the Nazarene.^[a]